Chandigarh, May 12
The issue of lack of communication between the Congress and the government in Punjab dominated the proceedings of the first extended meeting of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) here today.

While Mr Jagmeet Brar, MP, who was recently removed as the Congress whip in the Lok Sabha by the high command for violating the party’s edict regarding the boycott of Defence Minister George Fernandes, stayed away from the meeting, the AICC was represented by Mrs Ambika Soni and Mrs Mohsina Kidwai, General Secretaries.

In fact, it was the turn of PPCC Chief H.S. Hanspal today to assert his authority over the party as well as the state government. Insiders told The Tribune that Mr Hanspal questioned the ministers holding important portfolios as to why they did not share any information with the party’s top brass about various projects and schemes launched by their respective departments. Mr Hanspal conveyed in so many words to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the ministers at the meeting that the government’s “propaganda” machinery had failed to deliver. No one was aware in the countryside as to what the Government was doing. There was no interaction of the ministers concerned with the party machinery.

Mr Hanspal directed all ministers to submit the details of all programmes and schemes. “The party will prepare pamphlets and booklets of such programmes and schemes for distribution among people in the countryside,” said Mr Hanspal.

Certain leaders pointed out at the meeting that party workers were not given due respect in the field. Government officers such as Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and other district heads cared two hoots for Congress workers. Mr Hanspal asserted at the meeting the party workers would henceforth have a decisive say in running the government.

Following Mr Hanspal’s hard-hitting speech, certain ministers reportedly shared the programmes and policies of their departments with the participants. Finance Minister Lal Singh said when the Congress took over power from the SAD-BJP Government, the government’s expenditure was Rs 1.18 against the revenue of Re 1. But with the tightening of the belt, the expenditure had come down to 0.89 paise. Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal informed the meeting about the Agriculture Department, Mr Joginder Singh Mann about pension schemes and Chowdhary Jagjit Singh about local bodies.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Mr Hanspal said the Congress Government had released 30,600 power connections for tubewells in the past one year. It had given round-the-clock power supply to 5544 villages. Two resolutions — one condemning the Union Government for not lifting the sugar stock worth Rs 730 crore and the other criticising the Centre for freezing the wheat price — were passed at the meeting.

The PPCC Chief said he had banned the greeting of ministers and leaders with garlands of flowers.

Mrs Mohsina Kidwai, General Secretary in charge of the party affairs in Punjab, said the Congress would go it alone in the forthcoming assembly elections in four states. The party high command was satisfied with the Punjab Government’s performance. There was no difference between the organisation and the Punjab Government, she asserted.

No to casinos

Responding to a specific question whether the party high command approves the Punjab Government plan to set up casinos , Mrs Kidwai said the party did not approve pf such things. When asked that the state government had started taking legal measures to open casinos, Mrs Kidwai said Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, being a well-educated person, would keep the party policy in mind while taking any step in this connection.

Make education free for girls